Local bands Afterglow (top) and Gypsy Moonbird will perform as part of Telemiracle 45. (Submitted Photos: Afterglow/Moon Gypsy)

By Josh Ryan

Local Talent

Battleford bands among 2021 Telemiracle performers

Dec 7, 2020 | 6:11 PM

Two bands from Battleford will be featured on Telemiracle 45 in February.

Afterglow and Gypsy Moonbird are among the overnight bands scheduled for the annual 20-hour telethon, which is supporting the Kinsmen Foundation in providing specialized mobility and medical equipment and travel assistance to individuals and organizations throughout the province. There are 75 other acts scheduled for the event, following more than 100 auditions.

Melissa Kainberger, lead vocalist for Afterglow, said they are very excited after getting the opportunity to audition at the last minute.

“We’re just really excited to be a part of it,” she said. “That’s awesome, considering everything going on and the lack of live music.”

Kainberger said just getting the opportunity to jam in a live setting right now is huge. She and the band members had done acoustic live streams and played at a fundraiser in September for the burlesque organization in Saskatoon, but they haven’t had any opportunities at a live venue.

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“Just being able to be there, with the camera, it’s just gonna be a lot of fun,” she said.

The band recently put out a single and is currently working on album. Kainberger said the group is very fortunate compared to have had plenty of work do to this year.

“Considering how the world is right now, we’ve been very busy, so we’re very lucky,” she said.

Having performed at the event previously with a different band, Kainberger said she’s supportive of Telemiracle and hopes that plenty of support will come in, despite the struggles of many during the pandemic.

I know that they had lower numbers this year than in previous years,” she said. “So, I’m hoping people will tune in, donate and enjoy live music.”

Gypsy Moonbird singer Kriss Atcheynum and her husband Audi (guitar) have also had previous experience with Telemiracle, having performed in 2018. She said supporting the fundraising effort is as important to them as the opportunity to play live music.

“It’s really important for us to give back and contribute with our music and in any way we can to raise funds,” she said.

Gypsy Moonbird recently won the BOB Award for Best Band. Kriss Atcheynum said getting to do a 45 minute set should be a thrill.

“It’s very exciting, we get a lot more time to play more songs,” she said. “There weren’t a lot of opportunities for us to play live.”

And while the exposure from Telemiracle is something that could help the band, she said they are also hoping to highlight their heritage. The Atcheynum’s and guitarist Reg Whitecalf hail from Sweetgrass First Nation and would love to put the area on the map.

“We have a lot of support from our family, friends and peers in the community and we know they’ll be very proud of us,” she said.

The 20 hour telethon will be broadcast live on CTV throughout Saskatchewan and livestreamed on www.telemiracle.com, starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, and ending at 5 p.m. the following evening. The countdown show will live stream beforehand at 6:15 p.m. that Saturday.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports